What They Say:
But From the Crystal White Snow of Yoshino, Nobody Wishes to See and Mount Amanokagu
The Review:
Content: (please note that content portions of a review may contain spoilers)
A new character, Inokuma Haruka, is introduced in these episodes. She is a character that is well-matched with Chihaya. She is a rival who has the same passion and intensity as Chihaya and both will push each other in their dream of being Queen. She has been at the top and had to take a break because she had two babies but still has the ability to be racing to the top.
Chihaya has a like magical ability where she is able to influence everyone around her and get everyone to follow her. Her teacher worries about her academic struggles and wants her to succeed in her Karuta dreams. She also is a positive influence on Rion, a character with the wrong motivations to play Karuta but still keeps going. But as she struggles during a Karuta match, she envisions something that Chihaya had said to her and is encouraged to keep going.
Taichi gets jealous as Arata follows his and Chihaya’s footsteps in establishing a high school team. He feels like he progressing very slowly and still wants everything to be perfect. He has to be snapped back to reality by his teacher and friend and I enjoy that about these characters. He isn’t someone who can do everything alone and someone times need a little help from the people around him. He does show that he is learning and willing to adapt as he learns from his past mistakes and incorporates into his current games.
Kanade Oe wants to be a professional reader but gets misled as she shadows a well-known karuta reader but gets the wrong idea when he pulls out a smartphone and goes on twitter but she thinks he is using a stopwatch to perfect his craft. Comedy moments are few in between matches but this hit the spot and came at the right time
Episode 4 provides for some heartwarming and comedic moments just as the Karuta matches are coming to a close. These moments are placed just at the right moment. Theses moments seek to humanize the characters as they in a full out battle. Everyone has something they’re fighting for and also have so much to lose but yet still have so much respect for their opponent.
I feel that Episode 5 has a flaw in trying to build up suspense. The episode would flow a bit better without a scene at the beginning where everyone is wondering who will win the match as the number of cards is going down. It doesn’t add suspense and just adds unnecessary background noise. This show does a great job at pacing karuta matches and making the flow run like a real sports match and doesn’t let up.
Episode 5 sets up Chihaya against Taichi in the final round but I feel this isn’t the way they should be facing each other. Chihaya ended up sleeping after she won her quarterfinals match and her opponent surrender so that Chihaya could get some rest time. Taichi has played one more match and showed signs of weariness. I feel that it would be a good match but I still feel that this will turn sour for Chihaya and Taichi because they would want to face each other at their best.
In Summary:
Chihaya still has a long way to go before she can accomplish her dreams. But she is constantly meeting people who will help her progress as she becomes their friends or faces them in Karuta matches. She isn’t the only one with dreams. They all play Karuta with hopes of something greater. It’s great to see players when they win but there are moments when they lose and show their frustrations. Karuta is like any other sport as players put everything into their game and it is demonstrated well in this show.
Grade: A
Streamed By: Crunchyroll
